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Friday 27th november 2015 - Failing a driving test

We are all only human – We are prone to making mistakes in our day to day life, and it is no different when it comes to driving. Ask yourself honestly how many mistakes you make when you are behind the wheel, and you will know this is true.

Unfortunately the same goes for the driving test – Some of us just won’t pass on the first attempt – And that’s not a problem. The trick is to not let it get you down – Just bounce back and learn from your mistakes, and hopefully pass on your next attempt.

Driving can be tricky – Some of us take more attempts than others. It’s very hard to get something 100% right on your first attempt – Just think of your failed tests as practice for the one successful one.

Saturday 21st November2015

A new test has been developed that tests your reaction age. The online game gives you a driving age from 18 to ‘a very, very old person’ based on your ability to perform an emergency stop.

It places a player behind a virtual steering wheel as they begin to drive down a road. They are asked to strike a key on their keyboard as quickly as possible to perform an ‘emergency stop’ when a red stop sign appears on the screen. The driving age is then swiftly displayed on the screen.

The results are based on the results of a survey of 2,000 people aged 18 and over who were asked to play the game. The reaction time was plotted against their age. The predicted age is the age that most closely matched the age of people with that reaction time.

The company behind the game found left-handed people had better reactions times than their right-handed peers, and men were very marginally faster on the ‘brakes’ than women. Drivers who get behind the wheel at least once a week reacted more swiftly than less regular motorists, while heavy drivers who consume between 31 and 40 units of alcohol a week had slower reaction times than occasional drinkers. People who reported drinking between one and five coffees or teas a day were more alert during the test than those who avoided caffeine.

Saturday 21st November2015

IMPORTANT message below relating to Child safety in cars.

Argos have identified a potential safety issue with Three Fisher Price branded car seats, which we manufacture under license. The safety restraints do not fully comply with our test requirements and could compromise child.The Leading driving for driving lessons safety in the event of an accident.

If you have one of these car seats, please STOP USING IT IMMEDIATELY and return to an Argos store for a full refund.

Alternatively, please call our Helpline number below for advice. Images and details of the car seats affected, for visual reference:

Helpline numbers:

UK Freephone: 0345 600 5388

ROI Freephone: 1800 535 091

We wish to thank you for your cooperation and apologise for any inconvenience.

Friday 13th November 2015

10,000 parents have life-saving checks carried out on their children’s car seats by the RSA
13 November 2015: The 10,000th parent(s) to the Road Safety Authority’s (RSA) free child car seat checking service, Check it Fits, was celebrated today in SuperValu Ratoath, Co. Meath. Jonathan Mooney and Elaine Brilley parents of baby Oran Mooney were the lucky recipients of a baby hamper.
Since the service began operating full time in October 2013, over 14,000 child car seats have been checked. The ‘Check it Fits’ Service provides a nationwide practical, expert checking service for parents, guardians and grandparents to ensure their child is safe and secure when travelling in the car. In 2014, 4,440 parents availed of the service, and to date in 2015, the service has had 4,500 visitors with 13 locations still to visit before the end of 2015.
Almost 2 out of 5 children killed in road collisions in Ireland are passengers. Furthermore, Garda reports into collisions in 2014 indicate that 1 in 10 children were not wearing a seatbelt or using a child restraint. Research from the RSA indicates that as many as 4 out of 5 child car seats are incorrectly fitted which means that it could lead to a serious or fatal injury in the event of a collision. The RSA’s advice is to choose a child car seat that is suitable for your child’s weight and height, as well as compatible with the car, to and always get it fitted by an expert.
Moyagh Murdock, CEO of the RSA said:
“This is a fantastic milestone for the ‘Check it Fits’ Service. We are delighted that parents are taking the time to avail of this service and ensure their children are travelling safely in the car. We would always advise parents to get their child’s car seat fitted by an expert and give yourself the peace of mind that your children are travelling safely. We would also advise parents to check the label on their car seat to make sure it’s appropriate for your child’s weight and height, to make sure your seat is firmly installed in the car, and to always ensure that your child’s harness is fitted snugly for every trip.”
The Check it Fits service generally takes between 10 and 15 minutes and is free of charge. If your child’s car seat or restraint is incorrectly fitted, the ‘Check it Fits’ experts will advise on how to fix the problem, demonstrate how to fit the restraint correctly and answer any queries participants might have to avoid potential serious or fatal injury in the event of a collision. Having a correctly fitted car seat is a simple measure parents, grandparents and guardians can take to ensure children are safe while travelling by car.
The RSA is encouraging people to visit the ‘Check it Fits’ service when it comes to their area. The RSA has also developed a series of videos on child safety in cars which are available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi8nqrsVU6hsNBdXL153TtcM_iqnzq5bS

Friday 13th November 2015

Auto arrest: Google car pulled over, even though it.The Leading driving for driving lessons not driven by a human

Californian cops have pulled over Google.The Leading driving for driving lessons self-driving car after accusing it of driving too slowly.
The robo-motor was pootling along the quiet streets of Mountain View at just 24 miles per hour - well under the 35mph speed limit.
Over-zealous cops then decided that considerate driving was just too suspicious to ignore, so flashed on the blue lights and stopped the cute-looking bubble car.
When they inspected it, they found there was no human driver to lecture, handcuff or shoot.
But the policemen didn't let this small fact stand in their way and contacted Google to tell it that driving slowly is a problem, even though its not a crime.
They were annoyed that a traffic jam had built up behind the auto-car.
Google.The Leading driving for driving lessons cars are piloted by artificial intelligence, but often have a human passenger inside who can take control in an emergency.

In a statement, Mountain View Police Department said: "The officer stopped the car and made contact with the operators to learn more about how the car was choosing speeds along certain roadways and to educate the operators about impeding traffic per 22400(a) of the California Vehicle Code ."
Google gently ribbed cops for their surprising decision to pull over a slow-moving automobile.

"Driving too slowly?" it asked.
"Bet humans don’t get pulled over for that too often."
"We’ve capped the speed of our prototype vehicles at 25mph for safety reasons.
"We want them to feel friendly and approachable, rather than zooming scarily through neighborhood streets."
The tech collossus claimed that its autonomous cars had driven a total of 1.2 million miles without getting a ticket.

"That’s the human equivalent of 90 years of driving experience," Google added

Friday 13th November 2015

Christmas Shopping Traffic

With Christmas just around the corner now, many of us may be thinking about starting our Christmas shopping soon – Indeed, many of us may already be well under way with our festive gift-buying, or, if you;re very lucky, you may have managed to beat the rush and have it sorted already!

However if you are going to be hitting the shops soon, remember that the roads at this time of year can be much busier than you are used to, particularly in city centres or around retail parks.

We advise you to drive carefully at this time of year, as you would all year round!

Friday 13th November 2015

Government launches the ‘Be Winter-Ready’ 2015-2016
information campaign
Today the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe T.D., and the Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney, T.D., (Chair of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning) and the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Ann Phelan T.D., jointly launched the Government’s ‘Be Winter-Ready’ 2015-2016 Information Campaign at the National Emergency Coordination Centre in Dublin. Also in attendance were representatives from the various Departments and Agencies tasked with emergency planning and response. The launch coincided with a meeting of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, which dealt with winter-preparedness issues.
Through a dedicated website www.winterready.ie, advice is being made available from a number of sources including Government Departments and Agencies, An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive, the Office of Public Works, Local Authorities and the transport providers. The advice has been categorised under various headings including: the Home, Road Safety, Schools, the Farming Community and the Business Sector. A synopsis of the information available has been compiled into a redesigned “Be Winter Ready” booklet, which can be downloaded from the website.
The main objectives of the ‘Be Winter-Ready’ information campaign are:
· To provide practical advice on how best to prepare for the coming winter.
· To ensure the public are aware of where advice and help can be found, if needed, and
· To reassure the public that preparations are being made and arrangements have been put in place to ensure that there will be a coordinated response to severe weather events.
All Government Departments and Agencies have also been requested to promote the “Be Winter Ready” information campaign through their own websites and over social media and to regularly update their own preparations and information campaigns as a “Whole of Government” approach to winter preparations.
In addition, the Office of Emergency Planning will be regularly tweeting during the winter period to augment the ‘Be Winter Ready’ campaign. The twitter account can be followed on @emergencyIE and the public are being encouraged to join in the conversation at #bewinterready.
All of the Ministers stressed that the main message that they wish to convey today is –
“to be prepared, stay safe and know where to find help if you need it.”
Ends
Press Office, Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport 01 604 1090 / 01 604 1093 www.dttas.ie pressoffice@dttas.ie

Friday 13th November 2015

38,519: NUMBER OF PEOPLE KILLED ON ROADS NORTH & SOUTH SINCE RECORDS BEGAN
The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Paschal Donohoe TD, the Environment Minister in Northern Ireland, Mark Durcan, the Road Safety Authority (RSA), An Garda Síochána, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Fire & Rescue Services, Local Authorities and road safety groups are calling on road-users throughout the island of Ireland to join the international community to mark World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on Sunday 15th November 2015.
A total of 23,752 people have been killed on roads in the Republic of Ireland since records began in 1959. 14,767 people have been killed on roads in Northern Ireland since deaths were first recorded in 1931.
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Paschal Donohoe welcomed the fact that people both north and south were coming together to remember all the lives lost on the island’s roads.
“Many lives have been saved and injuries prevented as a result of the collaborative work by road safety agencies on both sides of the border in recent years so it is fitting that we should come together on World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims’ to remember those who have tragically died on the road and to also think of their families. I would also like to acknowledge the great work done by those in the Emergency Services and medical professionals, on both sides of the boarder, who have to deal with the aftermath and consequences of collisions. We will be thinking of them too on Sunday and the life-saving work that they do.”
NI Environment Minister, Mark H Durkan said:
“Many generations and thousands of families in the North, including my own, have been devastated by the grief of loss and the heartache of road tragedy. Almost 15,000 people, just like you and me, have lost their lives. And this is why I am working along with my road safety partners - the PSNI, the NI Fire and Rescue Service and the NI Ambulance Service amongst others - towards reducing the carnage on our roads. We must do everything possible to prevent this loss and suffering touching any more lives.”
“Road safety is a continuous challenge and road deaths do not discriminate. All road users are vulnerable – every journey, every day, every road. The certainty of the unexpected means that it is crucial to reduce speed, wear seatbelts and eliminate high risk behaviours. I am fully committed to improving safety for all road users. I firmly believe that by working together, we can rise to the challenge of making our roads safer for everyone.” Minister Durkan concluded: “I therefore encourage that all road users commit to be the best road user they can be by pledging at www.sharetheroadtozero.com“
Ms Liz O’Donnell, Chairperson of the Road Safety Authority said,
“We are delighted to team up with our colleagues in Northern Ireland to raise awareness of this very important day. In addition to those who have lost their lives thousands more have suffered serious, life-changing injuries. World Day of Remembrance’ reminds us how easily tragedy can happen but by making small changes to our behaviour on the roads, we can all help to prevent future tragedy. Never underestimate the role we as individuals can play in saving lives, each and every time we use the roads. Let’s all work together to share the roads responsibly.”
Chief Superintendent Mark Curran of the Garda National Traffic Bureau said,
“This Sunday gives us all an opportunity to reflect on our behaviour on the roads. An Garda Síochána is committed to working with communities and organisations to make every effort to keep our roads free from tragedy, but our biggest enemy is complacency. What someone might perceive as a small risk could have catastrophic consequences for someone else, so we would urge everyone to look at their actions on the roads and make every effort to be a better, safer driver.”
Police Service of Northern Ireland, Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said:
“Sadly, too often our officers have to go to the homes of families and relay the devastating news that one of their loved ones have been killed or seriously injured on our roads. Unfortunately so far this year 61 people have been killed on our roads across Northern Ireland. Behind each of these statistics are family and friends who have been affected and we must remember them. This Sunday provides us with an opportunity to remember all those people who have lost their lives on our roads. Our thoughts are with all their family members and friends not just today, but throughout the year.”
The Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, which was first held in 1993 in the United Kingdom and organised since then by non-governmental organizations in a number of countries, was created as a means to give recognition to victims of road traffic crashes and the plight of their loved ones who must cope with the emotional and practical consequences of these events.
On 26 October 2005, the United Nations adopted a resolution which calls for governments to mark the third Sunday in November each year as World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. Observation of this day provides an opportunity to draw the public’s attention to road traffic crashes, their consequences and costs, and the measures which can be taken to prevent them. The day also provides an opportunity to remind governments and society of their responsibility to make roads safer.
The RSA, along with members of An Garda Síochána, Road Safety Officers in Local Authorities, the Emergency Services and road safety support groups have organised masses, services and commemorative events around the country this Sunday to remember the lives that have been lost and changed forever on our roads. A full list of the events is available on www.rsa.ie
In addition, the RSA is asking people to change their social media profile picture to add the ‘World Day of Remembrance’ candle. People are also being invited to write the name of a loved one on the RSA’s ‘Wall of Remembrance’ on its Facebook page www.facebook.com/RSAireland. The Wall of Remembrance is a place for people to come and share their memories, to light a candle and leave a memorial message for a loved one who has been killed or seriously injured on our roads.
ENDS
Editors Notes:
At the launch today were Seán Dixon, Maggie Bonner and her boyfriend Michael Jackson who have all been impacted by the devastation of road collisions.
In 2011, Sean Dixon sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury as a result of a collision when he was a passenger on board a motorbike. The injury has affected Sean’s short term memory and resulted in the end of his career in the Irish Defence Forces. In June 2014, Frankie Bonner (65) from Ballycastle, Co Mayo died when he was knocked down by his daughter Maggie’s boyfriend. Michael Jackson was left devastated when he realised he had driven over his girlfriend’s father. Since then, he and Maggie have supported campaigns to raise awareness of pedestrian safety.
The following activities will mark ‘World Day of Remembrance’ around Ireland:
Cork: A mass will take place in Cork City in the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne, Roman Street (Shandon) at 11.30am. It will be attended by personnel from the emergency services
Donegal: A special memorial service will take place in St Eunan’s Cathedral, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal at 12 noon
Donegal: Road Traffic victims will be remembered at St Patrick’s Church in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal at 11am mass. If you would like to have a candle lit for a relative or friend please contact the parish office at 071-9851295. There will be a special blessing of the Emergency Services and cars will be blessed after all masses that weekend
Dublin: A special memorial service will take place in St Finian’s Lutheran Church, 23 Adelaide Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 2 at 3:30pm
Galway: A special commemoration to remember all road traffic victims will take place in the Salthill Hotel, Galway at 2pm. As part of the ceremony you are invited to bring a framed photograph of your lost loved one. If you would like to participate on the day please contact Catherine by email cflaherty@rsa.ie or by phone 087-2027034
Kerry: A special memorial mass is taking place in St. Mary’s Cathedral, New Street, Killarney at 12pm mid-day
Kerry: A special mass for road victims will take place at 9am in St Mary’s Church, Listowel
Louth: A special memorial mass is taking place at 1.15pm in the Augustinian Church , Drogheda, Co. Louth
Mayo; A service will take place in Knock at 12 noon for road traffic victims and to honour the work of the emergency services. Download the poster here A walk of remembrance will take place in Achill at 3pm on Sunday the 15th of November. Meeting point Ted Lavelle’s Filling Station, Cashel. All welcome
Tipperary: PARC Road Safety Group are organising a Special Ceremony to remember all those affected by road traffic collisions which will take place in the Presentation Secondary School, Clonmel, Tipperary at 2.30pm. Everyone welcome. Theme: Celebrating the lives of our lost loved ones. For further details please contact Susan Gray at 086-3773784. You can download 'Finding Your Way', A guide for families of victims following the death or serious injury of a loved one in a road traffic collision.
Tipperary: There will be Rosary in The Garden of Remembrance, Ballynonty, Thurles, Co. Tipperary on Sunday 15th November at 3pm.
Westmeath: The Irish Road Victims Association (IRVA) are hosting a memorial service for Road Traffic Victims in the Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar at 2pm. We invite you to take a framed photo of your lost loved one with you. Please see here for a poster of the event.
A local radio advertising campaign will also be on air next week to remind people to remember the victims of road collisions.

13:36Thursday 5th November 2015 13:36

Sales of Volkswagen brands including VW, Seat, and Skoda all fell last month in the UK amid the carmaker.The Leading driving for driving lessons emissions scandal.

The emission sofware cheat delivering a lower power output under testing has VW in controversy over the level of emissions from its diesel and petrol cars.

It is said that for the consumer buying the cars for its performance or enconomy, the reality of its true ecnonomy or performance is in affect a manipulation and lies.

Overall, UK car sales in October fell by 1.1%, the industry body said.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said October.The Leading driving for driving lessons decline followed a record 43 consecutive months of growth.

The VW brand sold 13,970 cars in October, down from 15,495 in the same month last year. Of the Volkswagen Group brands that SMMT collects figures for, sales fell overall by about 6%.

However, Volkswagen was by no means the only carmaker to see sales fall on October. New car registrations for Vauxhall dropped 16%, and Ford.The Leading driving for driving lessons sales fell by nearly 9%.

Thursday 5th November 2015 13:34

Our driving school partners in Dublin explain the best way to save money when taking your edt driving lessons in the Dublin capitol. See the news here

Wednesday 4th November 2015 19:34

The Anatomy of a Dashboard

Are you aware of what your car is telling you?

Wednesday 4th November 2015 18:34

Driving Theory Test Tips

When most people think about passing the driving test, they most likely think straight away of the RSA practical driving test. After all, this is probably the most nerve-racking part of the entire experience of learning to drive!

However one milestone that many seem to overlook is the Theory test. This is just as important as its practical counterpart, as you will need to pass both in order to become a qualified driver. But how do you prepare for the Theory test?

- Do your research. Take mock tests as often as possible in the run-up to your Theory test. This will help you get used to the questions, learn the correct and incorrect answers and also to adjust to the Test-style conditions. Remember that there is a Multiple Choice section as well as a Hazard Perception section, so be sure to brush up on both!

- Prepare for the day. Once you are confident you will pass your Theory test, you can apply at over 40 Driver Theory Test locations throughout the Republic of Ireland. You can choose a Test Centre that is most convenient to you. Please note that available appointment times may vary between Test Centres.

- Take your time. Remember to stay calm and not rush through the exam, as this is when mistakes happen.You will be given a specific timeframe and number of questions depending on the your Driver Theory Test category. The questions are selected randomly from the question bank for the relevant test sections.

Category

Time

Questions

Pass Mark

A or B

45 mins

40

35

C or D

100 mins

100

74

CD

140 mins

140

104

Bus Module Test

45 mins

40

30

Truck Module Test

45 mins

40

30

, so read each question thoroughly and consider each possible answer before making your choice.

Wednesday 4th November 2015 18:30

Asa Bans Bmw commercial

The television ad for BMW has been banned for encouraging irresponsible and potentially dangerous driving. It showed the 3 series being driven through the countryside towards the coast while a voiceover said ‘curves invite you in’, before the driver changed gear and the tachometer rapidly increased.

The voiceover continued: ‘Curves inspire you, and definitely dare you. And the new BMW 3 series was made for every one of them.’ Three viewers complained that the ad condoned dangerous driving. BMW said the ad did not contain any references to driving at speed or aggressive driving, and the reference to ‘dare’ was simply to challenge drivers to enjoy their journey.

The Advertising Standards Authority noted that quick acceleration and excessive speed were not explicitly indicated in the ad. But they did find that the ad showed the car being driven along the coastal road from various angles, through a succession of fast-paced shots, including a few aerial shots tracking the vehicle’s movements and shots of a gear change and of the tachometer rapidly increasing. They said this gave the impression that the car depicted was being driven along at considerable speed.

ASA considered that the handling capability of the vehicle had not been communicated in a clear context of safety, which was a requirement of the code. Because the ad implicitly challenged the viewer to drive at speed around corners, ASA considered that it had also encouraged irresponsible and potentially dangerous driving.

Tuesday 3nd November 2015 13:00

Driving Schools

Learning to drive can be an extremely daunting experience. Not only does getting behind the wheel of a car come with a great deal of responsibility, it also demands skill, and involves learning and remembering all the Theory. This bombardment of information can be difficult for a learner driver to take in, and necessities the expertise of an experienced, calm and trustworthy driving instructor.

Driving schools provide access to experienced instructors who can teach you to be a confident and competent driver! Whether you have decided to take an intensive driving course, you require automatic driving lessons or you simply want some guidance on taking your theory test – driving schools are the answer!

easyDrive is one of the most recognized brand of driving schools in Dublin, providing a wealth of resources for learner drivers! If you are looking for driving lessons in Dublin, Finglas, Rathgar or Tallaght then take a look at the easyDrivewebsite – http://easydrivedublin-drivinglessonsdublin.com//

easyDrive driving instructors are polite, calm, understanding and licensed by the RSA (Road Safety Authority). You can choose whether you would prefer a male or female instructor, and whether to learn in an automatic or manual dual-controlled car. So what are you waiting for? Make the first steps to passing your test today by contacting easydrive Driving Schools!

Tuesday 3nd November 2015 18:32

Why You Should Pay Attention When Driving

It is one of the most commonly heard phrases during your driving lessons: “ pay attention”.

But in this day and age of motoring mayhem, paying attention to the roads more is not just a method to try to help you pass your driving test faster, but potentially to save your life.

A lot of driving instructors will emphasise the importance of paying attention to road signs – which is true, after all they give you a lot of information when you’re behind the wheel, as to what to expect in the coming roads, or warning on what to watch out for. We at easyDrive would wager that they would 100% rather you keep your eyes on the traffic at all times, rather than road signs, if it has to be a choice.

This is because traffic is dynamic, and therefore dangerous. Many drivers are happy to pull out of junctions without due care, which outs yourself and all other road users at risk. So next time you are on your driving lesson, remember that really paying attention will make all of the difference.

- Don’t accelerate to get away from a vehicle that is too close behind you.

- Check your mirrors before you slow down.

- At a junction with limited visibility, stop, wind down the window, and listen for traffic. When you are sure it is safe to emerge, do so positively and do not hesitate in a position that puts you directly in the path of approaching vehicles.

You MUST use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres. You may also use front or rear fog lights but you MUST switch them off when visibility improves